Working to protect and improve the wild trout fishery in Putah Creek

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The Imperfect Storm

After years of drought, two major fire events, and now too much water all in a short time period, the Putah is now severely impacted with siltation.

I went to the Creek a few days ago mostly to check out its current conditions but also to wet a line after a few months break to let the spawning fish do their thing. The flows were in their winter nadir at 59 cfs.

What I saw was disheartening. The PC has changed and certainly not for the better.

Lower Canyon Creek

Access #1

Access #1

Access #1

Silt @ Guide’s Hole

I’m calling the recent rainfall in December and January the “Imperfect Storm” because it dumped so much water so quickly that it triggered a virtual mud slide into the creek from the tributaries. However, it wasn’t enough to raise Berryessa above the level of the Glory Hole which would have triggered a good scouring.

We’ll need to see how the higher flows of Summer move all of the silt around – I hope it helps or I’m sure it will impact future spawning and invertebrate life for a long time in the future.

The PC has had so many insults in the past – let’s hope she still has some resiliency! Our time and efforts to preserve and improve the trout fishery will certainly be needed now more than ever.

For what it’s worth, I was as close to being skunked that day as I have been in 8 years… Only one beautiful fish for all of my efforts – but it was appreciated! Others are doing better on caddis imitations and the venerable San Juan Worm I’ve heard…